Self-propelled corn picker vehicle



Jan. 2, 1951 N. F. ANDREWS 2,536,147

' SELF-PROPELLED CORN PICKER VEHICLE Filed Oct. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [five/#011 Norman E Andrew I Jan. 2, 1951 ANDREWS 2,536,147

SELF-PROPELLED CORN PICKER VEHICLE Filed Oct. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ven zon. Norman E Andre Patented Jan. 2, 1951 SELF-PROPELLED CORN PICKER VEHICLE Norman F. Andrews, Moline, Ili.,-assignor to Deere & i(gompany, Moline, 111., a corporation oi Illino Application October 16, 1947, Serial No. 780,241

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a vehicle and more particularly to a vehicle especially adapted for the attachment of or carrying of agricultural implements of the harvester type such as corn pickers, combines or the like.

The invention is primarily concerned with the provision of an improved vehicle adapted for carrying an implement and thereby eliminating the need for constantly mounting and dismountlng implements from a tractor according to the type of work to be performed. Althoughmany implements and machines are especially provided for easy attachment to or mounting on tractors, this program is-relatively expensive inasmuch as a successful adaptation of this program requires a tractor for carrying such machinery and a separate tractor for general purposes about the farm. According to the present invention the implement-carrying tractor may be dispensed with and replaced with a self-prothe vehicle power plant and operator's control pelled vehicle that is considerably more economior machines of the harvester type. The great saving in cost of a machine constructed according to the principles of the present invention over the cost of a tractor is achieved because of the elimination of many of those characteristics of a tractor found unnecessary in the use of a tractor with a mounted harvester. Moreover the vehicle constructed according to the present invention is designed on the basis of necessary wheel base and wheel tread, and further includes the necessary supporting structure for attachment of the harvester or like implement, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing, as is the case when the harvester is mounted on a tractor, expensive and complex structure adapting the implement to the tractor. Still further, the vehicle may be designed with a view toward providing a suitable power shaft readily adapt! able to the drivable part of the implement.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a fram structure that is relatively simple in design yet includes structural members so arranged as to provide wide flexibility of the vehicle in operation, the structural members being so associated as to impart rigidity to the structure whil permitting relative movement between certain structural parts as the vehicle travels over varying ground contours. In this respect, it is an object of the invention to provide the vehicle with a chassis or frame comprising a pair of articulately connected frame sections,

station, and the other of which carries in part means for mounting the implement or harvesting machine, the remainder of this means being carried on the first frame section. The arrange-.

ment is such that the implement is suitably carried in position for vertical floating and adjustment irrespective of the relative position of the frame sections. The invention is further featured by the provision of an improved driving means between the vehicle power plant or power source and drivable parts of th harvester. In this respect it is an object of the invention to provide a structural supporting member for carrying an implement, and to provide this member preferably in the form of a tube or enclosure member within which are housed certain parts ofthe driving mechanism.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features encompassed by and inherent in the invention will become apparent as the disclosure is mor fully made in the ensuing descriptionand accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein there is shown, by way of example, a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle including a harvester of the corn picker type mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1, the near wheels of the vehicle having been removed; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of rear portions of the frame structure, the view being taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1.

For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, reference will be had to certain parts of the -.vehicle as comprising front or rear parts; however, it is to be understood that the terms are not to be construed as limiting the invention to the exact structure shown, for, obviously, the parts may be interchanged and the vehicle operated in the opposite direction for the purpose of accomappearance, and a second floating wheeled frame section it connected to the frame section It). The connection between the two frame sections provides for relative articulation between the frames. A transverse implement supporting means comprising a transverse tubular member or element 12 is supported on opposite end portions on the frame sections I and l I so as to carry an implement or machine, here shown as a corn picker of the four-row type, detailed reference to which will be made subsequently. The connection between the tubular implement supporting member I2 and the chassis is such as to accommodate relative vertical movement between the frame sections Ill and II and at the same time to stabilize said sections laterally. An operators station I3 is carried on the frame section l0 independently of the transverse member l2 and independently of the frame section II,

thereby being considered a rigid part of the first.

frame section. Likewise, the first frame section l0 carries a power plant, designated generally by the numeral l4, which includes power transmitting means for conveying power to drivable parts of the implement, detailed reference to which will be made later.

The frame section 10 includes a transverse element in the form of an axle housing structure 15 carried at its opposite ends on traction wheels l6 and provided intermediate its ends with a differential gear housing H, which may contain differential gearing of conventional construction,

details of which have not been illustrated. At its 1 left hand side the frame section III includes a fore and aft extending structural member or side arm 3, rigidly secured at its rear end to the left hand end of the axle structure 15 and having its forward end supported-on a suitable wheel [9. The connection between the side arm 18 and its associated steerable wheel 19 is here shown as being accomplished by a bracket 20 and a vertical spindle 2|. The structural member or side arm 18 and the transversev axle housing l are so arranged and secured together as to form the legs of the L-shaped frame section Ill. The structural members are suitably and rigidly braced by a diagonal bracing member 25 secured at its opposite ends respectively to the right hand end portion of the axle housing l5 and to an intermediate portion of the side arm H3. The connection between the member 25 and the axle housing 15 is preferably made by means of a pair of plates 26 welded to the axle housing and depending therefrom and at that point welded to the diagonal member 25. The intermediate portion of the side arm l8 has secured thereto, preferably by means of welding, a pair of depending plates 21 to the lower ends of which is secured the left hand end of the diagonal brace member 25. The plates 26 and 21 are preferably apertured so that the diagonal member 25 may pass therethrough (Figure 3).

The second frame section II comprises essentially a longitudinally extending side arm 30 having its rear end in close proximity to the right end portion of the axle housing or structure [5 and having its forward end substantially in transverse alinement with the forward end of the left hand side arm l8. The rear end portion of the side arm 30 .is connected to the right hand end portion of the axle structure l5 by means providing for relative vertical movement between the arm 38 and the frame section In in a longitudinal vertical plane. This articulate connection is preferably accomplished by means of a pair of plates 3| preferably welded to the right hand end portion of the axle structure [5 and extending forwardly therefrom and having a transverse pivot pin 32 on which is carried a sleeve or collar 33 rigidly secured to the rear end portion of the longitudinal side arm 30. The forward end of the side arm 30 is carried on a steerable wheel 34. The connection between the wheel 34 and the side arm 30 is preferably achieved by means of a bracket 35 and a vertical spindle 36, a construction that is similar to that described in respect to the connection of the left hand wheel I!) to the left hand side arm l8. The arm 30 is suitably braced against undesirable lateral displacement by means of a short diagonal brace rigidly secured at one end, as by welding at 4|, to an intermediate portion of the arm 30 and having its other end pivoted at 42 to a pair of plates 43 rigidly carried by the rear axle structure l5 just to the left of the plates 3| previously described (Figure 1).

The left and right hand side arms 18 and 30 are cross connected by or carry therebetween the implement-supporting member [2, which is located a substantial distance rearwardly of the front ends of the side arms to provide a substantial space for receiving an implement, as described subsequently. As previously stated, the member |2 is preferably tubular in construction and is here shownas comprising a plurality of separable sections 45 arranged in axial alinement and preferably provided with flanges 46 at their opposite ends by means of which the sections may be rigidly connected together. The transverse member 12 is connected at its left hand end to an intermediate portion of the left hand side arm [8, the connection being preferably accomplished by means of an inwardly facing yoke 41 having a shaft or shank portion 48 carried by the arm 3. The yoke 41 is preferably rigid with the shank or shaft portion 48 and the latter is mounted in the arm I8 for rotation about a transverse axis. The proximate end of the tubular member I2 is suitably pinned to the yoke 41 on a pivot pin 49 arranged on a longitudinal axis, the relationship between the left hand end of the tubular member l2 and the left hand side arm l8 being such that the tubular member 12 may rock about the axis of the shank 48 and also oscillate about the axis of the pivot pin 49. The opposite or right hand end of the tubular member I2 is similarly connected to an intermediate portion of the right hand side arm 30, the connection being made by a yoke havingfa shank or shaft portion 56 mounted in the arm 30 for rotation about a transverse axis. The yoke is pinned to the right hand end of the member l2 on a pivot pin 51 disposed on a longitudinal axis, so that the connection is similar to the connection 41-48-49 at the left hand side of thechassis. By the means just described the transverse member l2 accommodates relative movement between the frame sections l0 and H.

The rigid or L-shaped frame section In is provided with supporting structure including means for supporting the power plant l4. This means preferably takes the form of a plurality of frame members 60 suitably supported by other frame members 6| in position above the differential gear housing i1, the frame members 60 extending longitudinally of the frame section I 0 to a point gine crank shaft. Just ahead of the differential gear housing I! is a transmission housing 88 suitably suspended by frame members 61 from the engine supporting frame members 80. The housing 68 may contain change speed gearing (not shown) of conventional type and these may be connected in the usual manner to the gearing in the differential gear housing I1. Projecting from the forward end of the change speed gear housing 66 is a driven shaft 68 on which is keyed a belt pulley 69. An endless belt 10 is trained about the pulley 89 and about a driving pulley II keyed to the engine shaft 65. In this manner power from the engine I4 is transmitted to the rear tractionwheels I6, each of the rear traction wheels being connected to the differential gearing in the usual manner, by mechanism including drive shafts or axles I2 housed within the transverse axle structure I5 (only one of the axles being illustrated in the drawing).

The operators station I3 includes a longitudinally forwardly extending horizontal platform 80 which provides superstructure supported at its rear end by vertical frame members 8I secured to forward end portions of the engine supporting frame 60 and forming part of that supporting structure. The forward end portion of the platform 80 is at a level substantially above the transverse member I2 and is braced by rear- Wardly and downwardly inclined bracing members 82 secured at their rear ends to an intermediate portion of the transverse axle structure I5. It will be noted that the operators station is carried wholly on the frame section I0 and has no connection with either the transverse implement supporting member I2 or the right hand side arm 30. This construction is provided so that there will be no interference between the operators station and the member I2 or side arm 30, whereby free floating movement of the latter two elements is provided for. The' operators station is provided further with a seat 83 positioned adjacent the rear. end of the platform 80 and rearwardly of a guard rail'84 which is provided around the forward end and forward side portions of the platform 80. A steering member or wheel 85 is positioned conveniently ahead of the seat 83 and is supported at the upper end of a steering support 86, the upper portion of which is provided as a housing 81 enclosing worm gear mechanism 88 (Figure 2) for the purpose of operating a vertical steering shaft 89 which projects downwardly at the front end of the platform 80. The shaft at this point has secured thereto a laterally extending steering arm 90.

The steering arm 90 is used to connect the steering wheel 85 with steering mechanism for the front steerable wheels I9 and 34. The steering mechanism illustrated here is of the hydraulic type; although, it is obvious that any other type of steering means may be employed. The mechanism here disclosed includes a hydraulic pump 95 driven by a shaft 96 suit/ably connected to an extension of the engine shaft 65. The pump 95 supplies fluid under pressure to a piston and cylinder assembly 91 suitably carried by the diagonal brace 82 between the platform 80 and the rear axle housing structure I5. The cylinder may be of the valved type including a control arm 98 connected by a link 99 to the steering control arm 90. The piston and cylinder assembly is suitably connected to a laterally extendingarm I00 keyed to the upper end of a vertical shaft. I M which has its lowerend extending below the transverse tubular implement supporting member I2, at, which point the arm carries means for connection toa transversely extending tie rod the opposite ends of which are visible at I02 in Figure 1. The end portions I02 of the tie rod are pivotally connected to bell cranks I08 and I04, the bell crank I03 being pivoted on a bracket I05 on the right hand side arm and the bell crank I04 being pivoted on a similar bracket I08 on the left hand side arm I8 (Figure l). The bell crank I03 is connected by a longitudinally extending link I01 to an arm, I08 keyed to the spindle 88 of the right hand front wheel 84. The left hand bell crank I04 is similarly connected by a longitudinally extending link I09 to an arm IIO keyed or otherwise secured to the vertical spindle 2| of the left hand steerable wheel I9. The particular type of steering means employed forms no part of the prescut invention and the illustration" thereof is rather schematic. It will be understood, of course, that in a practical construction the connections between the various links and arms will be sufliciently flexible to permit relative movement between the frame sections I0 and II as the sections rise and fall according to varying ground contour. It is important, however, that the transverse connections including the end portions I02 be relatively close to the transverse tubular member I2. since the latter is on a principal axis of twisting of the frame sections and the close proximity of the transverse steering connection eliminates as far as possible variations in the steering control that may occur as the frame sections move vertically relative to each other. Other incidents of construction and design will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art and it is not desired that the invention be limited in any way by the disclosure of the includes a plurality of sections or units capabl of handling four corn rows simultaneously, provision being made between adjacent sections, as at H5, H8, II! and H8, for handling four corn rows. The picker sections II5-I I8 may be mounted on a plurality of downwardly and forwardly inclined supporting or frame members, an example of which is shown at I I9 in Figure 2. The lower end of each member II9 may be provided with a ground engaging runner or shoe I20 and its other end includes suitable connection with the transverse tubular member I2 providing for vertical movement of the sections II5-II8 about a transverse axis, which in the present case passes through or is coincident with the axis of the member I2. Each pickersection may include the usual snapping rolls, an example of which is indicated by the numeral I2I in Figure 2. Each of the picker sections II5-II8 may include an ear forwarding elevator that leads upwardly and rearwardly over the rear axle structure I5, these elevator portions being indicated in Figure 1 by the numerals I22-I 25. These elevators discharge 7:; downwardly into a transverse trough or hopper I with which is associated in the conventional manner a rearwardly and upwardly inclining wagon elevator I21, the latter being appropriately supported, as at I28, by the rear axle housing structure I5.

As above, the following description of the means by which the drivable parts of the picker are driven from the power plant I4 will be illustrated and described only generally, the main purpose being to illustrate how, in one manner, the desired result may be accomplished. The disclosure in this respect, then, being only representative, will also be relatively schematic. For

- I52. The right hand end of the shaft I55 carries a bevel gear I51 which meshes with a bevel gear I58 within the next adjacent section 45 of the member I2. The bevel gear I50 is carried on ashort shaft which extends outside the member I2 and has example, the engine shaft 55 may have keyed thereto a driving sprocket I30. A shaft I3I (Figure 1), having its axis parallel to the axis of the engine shaft 65, is suitably journaled in bearings I32 along the left side of the transmission or change speed gear housing 55. This shaft carries at its forward end a sprocket I33 and a belt pulley I34. The mounting of the shaft I3I is independent of the tubular member I2 to the extent that the shaft I3I is supported entirely on the frame section I0. The sprocket I33-is connected by a driving chain I35 to the driving sprocket I30 on the engine shaft 55.

The left hand end of the transverse member I2 journals a longitudinally extending short shaft I40, which extends rearwardly and has keyed thereto a belt pulley I4I. about the pulley I and also about the pulley I34 on the shaft I3I. The shaft I is thus located in close proximity to the pivot pin 41 providing the horizontal pivot axis in the connection" between the left hand end of the member I2 and the left hand side arm I8. This arrangement permits the driving parts to accommodae relative movement between the member I2 and the rigid frame section I0 without shortening of the driving belt I42, it being noticed that the drive pulley I34 is carried on the frame section I0 and the drive pulley MI is carried on the relatively movable member I2. In this respect, it should be further noted that a perfect design might include the mounting of the shaft I40 directly on the left hand side arm I8. However,-as will appear immediately, such design would not accommodate the type of driving mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The shaft I40 has keyed thereto inside the left hand end portion of the tubular member I2 a bevel gear I45. This bevel gear meshes with and drives a second bevel gear I45 carried on a short shaft I41 which has keyed thereto another bevel gear I48. The bevel gear I48 is in constant mesh with and drives a bevel gear I49 rotatable on a forwardly and slightly downwardly inclined axis. The bevel gear I49 may be suitably connected by a short shaft to a sprocket I50 located outside the tubular member I2, the shaft between the gear I49 and sprocket I50 passing through a wall of the member I2.

The bevel gear I49, inside the tubular member I2, meshes with a bevel gear I5I carried on a shaft I52 journaled in the member I2., As previously stated, the member I2 is'made up of a plurality of coaxial-sections 45. The "shaft I52 extends to the right to the proximate section 45 and carries at its right hand end a bevel gear I53. which meshes with a bevel gear I54 carried on a short shaft at the other end of which is keyed a sprocket I55, the arrangement being very similar to the arrangement between the bevel gear I49 and sprocket I50 previously described. The sprocket I50 and the sprocket I55 provide power A belt I42 is trained keyed thereto a sprocket I59, the bevel gear I58 being associated with the sprocket I59 in the same manner as the corresponding parts previously referred to. Inside the member I2 the bevel gear I58 meshes with and drives a bevel gear I40 keyed to a shaft I5I extending coaxial with respect to the shaft I52 and I58 and is journaled in the next adjacent section 45 of the tubular member I2. The shaft I6I extends to the right and has at its right end a bevel gear I52 which meshes with a bevel gear I63, the latter being connected by a short shaft which extends through the wall of the tubular member I2 and carries a sprocket I04 thereon. By the means 'just described, the drive is carried from the power plant I4 through the shaft 55 to the left hand end of the tubular member I2 and then back again to the right hand end of the member I2, the drive being divided at intervals for the purpose of driving the harvester parts, as will presently appear.

are geared together, as at I13, to provide for rotation thereof in opposite directions. The other sets of snapping rolls (not illustrated) may be similarly driven, there being indicated in Figure 1 input shafts I15, I15 and I11, respectively, for the picker sections H5, H5, and H1, each of which shafts includes a driving sprocket which may be connected by a chain to the adjacent drive sprockets I50, I54 and I59, respectively.

Other components of the picker that require driving may be driven from the engine shaft 55 through any suitable mechanism, several examples of which are known to those skilled in the art.

The supporting of the harvester on the vehicle chassis by means of the transverse member I2 and frame member I I9 is such that the harvester is afforded vertical movement with respect to the chassis, this movement being provided for the purpose of adjusting the points of the picker unit and also for the purpose of allowing the harvester to float relative to the frame as varying ground contour is encountered. There is illustrated in the drawings by way of example one means by which the harvester may be raised and lowered with respect to the ground. As shown, the hydraulic pump 95 supplies fluid under pressure to a cylinder and piston assembly J80, the piston rod of which is connected to a forwardly extending cable I8I that is trained over a pulley or sheave I82 carried on a bracket I83 below a forward portion of the operator's platform 80. The free end of the cable I8I is connected at I84 to a transverse brace-member I85 cross connecting the picker sections H5, H8, H1 and Ill. The cylinder and piston assembly I is preferably of a,sao,147

the valved type including a control lever I" disposed within convenient reach of the operator on the seat 83.

One of the characteristics of the vehicle unit provided is that it may be used with any type of harvester, since the construction is such that the structural members lend themselves readily to adaptation for the purpose of carrying different models and makes of pickers, for example. The particular unit illustrated has been designed with a v ew toward adapting the unit to pickers of existing types, which pickers, as are well known to those skilled in the art, include frame members corresponding to the members H9, which members are mounted on a transverse pivot which corresponds generally to the transverse implement supporting member l2. The same characteristics are generally pre ent in other implements and little, if any, alterations will be re uired in such implements or in the vehicle incident to the connection of such implement to the vehicle.

It is not intended that the specific disclosure and particular enumeration of objects and features of the invention should exclude alterations in the construction and design or modifications in the use of the improved vehicle chassis for, obviously, such modifications and alterations may be made without de arting from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.-

I claim:

1. A self-propelled vehicle for carrying agricultural implements, com rising; a first frame section including a rear m mber disposed transversely as respects the line of travel of the vehicle and providing a rear axle structure having traction means at each of its opposite end portions, and a second member extending longitudinally forwardly from one end portion of the rear member and rigidly secured at its rear end to said rear member and having ground-engaging means at its forward end; a second frame section including a member extending longitudinally forwardly from the other end portion of the rear member and pivoted at its rear end to said rear member on a transverse axis for movement relative to the first frame section in a longitudinal vertical plane, and having ground-engaging means at its forward end portion substantially in transverse alinement with the aforesaid ground-engaging means; a transverse element disposed a substantial distance rearwardly of the front ground-engaging means and connected at each of its opposite ends respectively to the longitudinal members by means providing for the aforesaid vertical movement of the second frame section and for laterally stabilizing said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members being otherwise structurally separate to provide a substantial space therebetween and ahead of said transverse element for the disposition of agricultural implements; and a power plant carried by the transverse rear member and sustained thereby independently of the transverse element and independently of the longitudinal member of the second frame section.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: the transverse element is a tubular structure; driving means is contained within said structure and is operatively connected to the power plant; and said driwng means is provided with power take-off means exteriorly of said tubularstructure and available for connecv 10 tion to drivable parts of agricultural implements connected to the vehicle.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: a diagonal brace extends from that end portion of the rear member to which the second frame section is connected to a portion of the first section longitudinal member intermediate its front and rear ends and in proximity to the proximate end of the transverse element so as to lie rearwardly of the implement space; and said brace is connected at each of its opposite ends to the aforesaid member portions and is independent of the transverse element.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: the power plant extends longitudinally and is substantially balanced over the rear transverse member.

5. A self-propelled vehicle for carrying agricultural implements, comprising: a first frame section including a rear member disposed transversely as respects the line of travel of the vehicle and providing a rear axle structure having traction means at each of its opposite end portions, and a second member extending longitudinally forwardly from one end portion of the rear member and rigidly secured at its rear end to said rear member and having steerable ground-engaging means at its forward end; a second frame section including a member extending longitudinally forwardly from the other end portion of the rear member and pivoted at its rear end to said rear member on a transverse axis for movement relative to the first frame section in a longitudinal vertical plane, and havin steerable ground-engaging means at its forward end portion substantially in transverse alinement with the aforesaid ground-engaging means; a transverse element disposed a substantial distance rearwardly of the front ground-engaging means and connected at each of its opposite ends respectively to the longitudinal members by means providing for the aforesaid vertical movement of the second frame section and for laterally stabilizing said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members being otherwise structurally separate to provide a substantial space therebetween and ahead of said transverse element for the disposition of agricultural implements; a power plant carried by the first section; an operators station carried by the first section; and steering mechanism for the steerable ground-engaging means including a steering member on the operators station, transverse means closel paralleling the transverse element, and connections between said transverse means and the steerable ground-engagin means.

6. A self-propelled vehicle for carrying agricultural implements, comprising: a first frame section including a rear member disposed transversely as respects the line of travel of the vehicle and providing a rear axle structure having traction means at each of its opposite end portions, and a second member extending longitudinally forwardly from one end portion of the rear member and rigidly secured at its rear end to said rear member and having ground-engaging means at its forward end; a second frame section including a member extending longitudinally forwardly from the other end portion of the rear member and pivoted at its rear end to said rear member on a transverse axis for movement relative to the first frame section in a longitudinal vertical plane, and having ground-engaging means at its forward end portion substantially in transverse movement of the second frame section and for laterally stabilizing said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members being otherwise structurally separate to provide a substantial space therebetween and ahead of said transverse element for the disposition of agricultural implements; supporting structure including frame members carried by and above the rear transverse member and extending forwardly at a level substantially above and independent of the transverse element; a power plant carried by a rear portion of said supporting structure; and an operators station carried by a forward portion of I the supporting structure and thereabove to be clear of the aforesaid space in which implements may be disposed.

7. The invention defined in claim 6, further characterized in that: the power plant is at a level above the rear transverse member and in-- cludes a depending gear housing substantially at the level of said rear member.

8. The, invention defined in claim 7, further characterized in that: the gear housing depends below the supporting structure and ahead of the rear transverse member and is located behind and independent of the transverse element.

' NORMAN F. ANDREWS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record the file of this patent: I

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 666,592 Atkins Jan. 22, 1901 1,256,347 'Meharry Feb. 12, 1918 1,737,160 Johnston L. Nov. 26, 1929 2,152,273 Otto Mar. 28. 1939 2,333,080 Aasland Nov. 2, 1943 

